Reservoir brush



March 13, 1956 w, wRlGHT 2,738,111

RESERVOIR BRUSH Filed Feb. 27, 195] /2 \sQY y 30 /6 L94 /9 20 03. 221, A flame United States Patent 9 33 1 RESERVOIR BRUSH Richard W. Wright, East Mich, A pucation ebruar 1, 19 51, serial 212,876.

I la al-W1 9!) The present invention provides a brush equipped with a reservoir, and with an arrangement for regulating the discharge of the contents of the reservoir. It is primarily intended that brushes embodying the present invention be used for scouring and scrubbing, and that the reservoir be filled with a soap solution or some similar cleaning compound. It may be noted, however, that this same type of device may be used in scalp treatment and in other situations in which it is necessary to apply a solution while performing a rubbing action.

Reservoir-type brushes are not broadly new. The principal point of departure of the present invention from the prior art resides in the manner of controlling the discharge of the contents of the reservoir onto the area being acted on by the bristles. In the present invention, this discharge is a function of the application of rubbing pressure. In the prior art devices of this type, a noticeable shortcoming is found in the use of a valve maintained in an open position during periods in which pressure is applied. A moments reflection will establish that it will be very inconvenient for the flow of soap to continue without interruption during the scrubbing operation. It will be highly desirable to deposit the requisite amount of soap as early as possible in the scrubbing action, and thereafter to have the flow of cleaning compound completely terminated. The present invention establishes two systems for controlling the discharge of the reservoir contents, both involving a valving which interrupts the outflow through a discharge conduit when the pressure on the brush is at zero, and also when scrubbing pressure is maintained. Discharge of the contents of the reservoir at a desired rate is permitted at times when the pressure is at an intermediate amount. With this arrangement, the application of pressure will result in passing through a condition in which the flow of cleaning composition is permitted. After the pressure has been completely applied and the scrubbing action begins, further flow of cleaning solution or compound is prevented.

One of the control systems referred to above involves the use of a metering chamber which is placed in communication with the reservoir, preferably, when zero pressure is present on the brush. Application of scrubbing pressure results in moving the bristle block, and thereby discharging contents of the metering chamber while shutting off further communcation of the metering chamber with the reservoir. An alternative control system is based on a valving that closes a conduit at both extremes of movement of the bristle block, but passes through a condition in which the conduit is open from the reservoir to point of discharge. The several features of the present invention will be discussed in detail through an analysis of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a section in elevation through a brush embodying the present invention, under the zero pressure condition.

Patented Mar. 13, 1956 Fi ur 2 i ec ion th ou h a ne deviqemart d in Figur el under the condition corresponding to.

' be off scrubbing pressure.

. e '3 is. a s pre e ng mo ifi d form, f. he. pi, t fla t n om ha Q n n g r r d illustrating the metering chamber arrangement.

Figure 4 presents a section on the plane of Figure .1.

' R er to F re 1, the r h aae a l im t te t 101 ShQ- a were? o id frame str c u .1 rm d th a gamma bh ri alf rv turei .2 p at n an a sur cewhic'h fitithe hand readily during the ara n SEQUP QfibB- F E 11 45. 2 9 45 s! in the bristle block 14 in the conventional manner to form a bristle face. The block 14 is slideably received Within the bore 15 of the frame 11. A spring 16 biases the block 11 downwardly as shown in Figure 1 against the stop ring 17. This ring is placed in position after assembly of the spring 16 and the block 14 within the frame 11, and the prongs 18 are forced into the material of the frame 11. To. permit this type of assembly, it is preferred that the frame 11 either be of wood or be formed with suitable apertures to receive the prongs 18.

Above the bore 15, a recess 19 is provided which constitutes a reservoir chamber. Preferably, a shoulder 20 is formed between the opening of the reservoir 19 and the bore 15 to provide a seat for the gasket 21. As pressure is applied to the top surface 12 of the brush, the bristle block 14 moves upwardly Within the bore 15 until the upper surface 22 of the bristle block 14 bears against the gasket 21. Such engagement seals the reservoir 19.

A series of recesses 23 is provided around the upper edge of the bristle block 14 to provide passages communicating with the annular recess 24 in the frame 11. As the bristle block moves upwardly, the contact of the upper surface 22 with the gasket 21 will prevent communication between the reservoir and the annular recess 24. This same movement will bring the lower surface of the bristle block above the lowermost portion of the annular recess 24, and thereby permit outflow of compound. The contents of the reservoir may then be considered as discharged through a conduit established by the recesses 23 and the annular recess 24.

The arrangement shown in Figure 3 differs from that illustrated in Figure 2 principally in the fact that the lower extremity 26 of the annular recess is open only after the passage 27 is no longer in communication with this recess and has passed above the upper surface 28. With this system, the annular recess 31 forms a metering chamber in the discharge conduit, and which is closed before the discharge is permitted to take place. The presence of a sealing gasket at 29 assists in preventing continued flow from the reservoir, since it is entirely probable that the cost of manufacture will not permit a careful fit to be maintained between the bristle block and the frame in the arrangement shown in Figure 3, or in the other figures, for that matter. The annular ring 17, if carefully made, may also be used as a seal when scrubbing pressure is not being applied.

The reservoir shown in the several figures is filled through a plug 30 which is preferably of such a contour as to not project above the spherical curvature 12. It is contemplated that the present invention may be utilized with either a liquid or a powdered compound; and for this purpose, it will be noted that the lower portion of the annular recess 24 (or 31, in Figure 3) is formed at a considerable angle to the vertical to induce downward flow as the bristle block moves toward its upward position. The particular angle of this bevel 32 that is rea quired will be influenced by the type of material that is to be inserted in the reservoir.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only, and are not to be considered as a limitation of the scope of the appended claim; In the claim, it is my intention to claim the entire invention to which I am entitled in view of the prior art.

I claim:

In a dispenser having a frame provided with a bore communicating with a reservoir, and having a shoulder in said bore extending radially inward and disposed on a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of said bore, valve means comprising: a block slideably mounted in said bore; and means forming a conduit including a 15 recess in said bore extending around said block, said conduit being sealed on axial engagement of said block with said shoulder.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 729,515 Steele May 26, 1903 1,000,937 Peeler Aug. 15, 1911 1,305,476 McCord June 3, 1919 1,525,828 Reeve Feb. 10, 1925 1,888,570 Rice Nov. 22, 1932 2,165,508 Rieber July 11, 1939 2,214,218 Aiken Sept. 10, 1940 2,579,167 Atkinson Dec. 18, 1951 

